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ST JOHN’S, Antigua, May 8, 2016 – The stadium was stunned into
silence when St. Martin squeezed past home team Antigua and
Barbuda in a grueling five-set match (25-16, 21-25, 25-20, 20-25
and 15 -8). The match was the finals of the ECVA Youth Female
Competition hence the gold medal was up for grabs.
There was little difference shown between the two teams as the
pendulum swung from one side to a next. However the scoresheet
proved that St. Martin was the deserving winner as they led in
all the scoring categories – (31 to 23 in spikes, 11 to 5 in
blocks and 8 to 7 in service aces).
Middle Blocker from St. Martin Amanda Sylves who later adjudged
the MVP was outstanding scoring 23 points overall -14 from
spikes and 9 from blocks. She proved a difficult prospect for
team Antigua Barbuda particularly when she came through the
middle. Joy Birarda emerged as an able aide chipping in with 14
points.
On the opposite side Joseanne Lewis who won the award for best
outside hitter contributed 15 points while Captain Britany Gore
posted 11 points.
Both coaches pointed to the nervousness of their players as a
big factor in determining the game.
“I think that the players were too nervous to execute the game
plan as we outlined it today. Once that took toll mistakes set
it and things went awry,” Coach Rosalie Lewis of Antigua Barbuda
explained.
On the other hand Jean Luc Lizan of St. Martin said that
managing the nervousness of the players was the one of the keys
to victory. “The players cannot think or play properly when they
are nervous and so our main job was to keep them calm. Once we
got that under control then we were able to execute what we
wanted to do in the game,” he said.
Coach Lizan also had high praise for Sylves who outscored all
other players on the night.
Antigua Coach and team captain vowed to come back stronger while
Coach Lizan indicated that he earned a deserved rest. His
captain Mailee Ehrmann had a different view. “The girls are in a
joyous mood and we are going to celebrate somewhere somehow,”
she said. |
